The Imperfects Jamila Rizvi - Awoken by a Broken Brain
Nov 23, 2025
Jamila Rizvi, a bestselling author and gender equality advocate, shares her profound journey of living with a brain tumor and its repercussions on her identity. She discusses the emotional struggle of redefining herself after losing cognitive functions and how her health challenges affected her relationships. Jamila opens up about developing an eating disorder as a means of control and the subsequent battle with body image. Through therapy, she explores new narratives about her life, ultimately finding pride in her vulnerabilities and redefining her sense of self.
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Clinging To A Pre-Illness Self
- Jamila describes trying to hold on to her pre-illness identity as an able-bodied, ambitious woman after her brain tumour diagnosis.
- She says she kept resetting toward a life that no longer existed and felt stuck for years while functions were lost slowly.
The Pain Of Drip-Feed Loss
- Gradual loss can be more devastating than sudden loss because you get repeatedly punched in the gut.
- Jamila found the drip-feed erosion of functions repeatedly forced fresh grief and readjustment.
How The Tumour Broke Hormonal Control
- Jamila explains her craniofaryngioma affected the pituitary and hypothalamus, disrupting many hormones and eyesight.
- She describes how that brain location caused problems with thirst, metabolism, growth hormone and hunger regulation.
